School Leadership

Dr. Johnson comes to Coram Deo Academy after a six-year tenure at Dallas Baptist University, where he led as dean of the College of Business and vice president of advancement. Prior to his time in higher education, Dr. Johnson served as executive pastor of Grace Community Church in Tyler, Texas, for more than a decade, where he also oversaw operations for the church’s 1000-student K-12 school.

In addition to his extensive work experience, Dr. Johnson hold a Ph.D. in leadership studies from Dallas Baptist University; an M.A. in religion from Reformed Theological Seminary; an M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University; and a B.S. in accounting from Bob Jones University. 

Dr. Johnson and his wife Lisa have been married for nearly 40 years, raising 3 children, and now doting on two grandsons.

Doug Hix has been with Coram Deo Academy since 2013. Doug served as Athletic Director, Head Football and Track coach before taking on his current position as Director of Development. Doug came to CDA from SMU where he spent two years as the performance director for the Men’s Basketball team. Prior to that, he was the founder of San Diego-based Play Fast Athletics where he worked with athletes that have gone on to become the NFL rookie of the year, an NBA 1st round pick, Major League Baseball stars and an Olympian.

Doug is a native of Warsaw, Missouri. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Recreation Management from Pittsburg State in 1998 while also competing collegiately in track and football. Hix was a three-time All-American as a sprinter in track and an all-conference and school record-holding wide receiver in football. During his final two years at Pittsburg State, he started training players for the NFL. Hix was the owner and director of training for Play Fast Athletics from 2001-2012. He was also the editor-in-chief for Youth Fitness Magazine, which he founded in 2009.

Even greater than his passion for athletics, Hix has a true desire to help shape the lives of young people. Hix sees athletic competition as model for the spiritual struggle choosing between right and wrong that we, as Christians, go through every day.

Doug and his wife, Tricia, have three children who attend Coram Deo Academy. His family worships and serves at Gateway Church in Frisco, TX.

Steve is a graduate of Texas A&M University and holds a graduate certification in Project Management from the University of Texas. After earning the PMP professional certification he also earned a M.S. in Quality Systems Management, as well as, certification as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. 

After a career in commercial and residential construction, Steve joined NOV as a Production and Quality Manager.

He and his wife Vivian, have been married for 28 years and have been blessed with three children all of whom are now through college and in careers of their own.

Megan Mitchell joined CDA in 2021 as the Human Resources Employment Manager. Originally from Midland, Texas, she moved to DFW to pursue her bachelor’s degree at the University of North Texas in 2005. She received an undergraduate degree in Sociology in 2007 and went on to receive her MBA in Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management in 2014. She also holds a Certified Professional credential from the Society for Human Resource Management.

After serving in leadership roles in non-profit and for-profit roles, Megan realized her passion is to be a servant leader in an organization with a foundation in Jesus Christ. She comes to CDA with experience of serving others in a faith-based organization in the human resources function.

Megan has a four-year-old son, Clifton, and attends Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church in Flower Mound, Texas. She enjoys playing her violin in the orchestra and singing in the choir.

 

 

Robert Terry serves as Vice President of Academic Affairs. He has been a part of Coram Deo Academy since 1999, the school’s first year, when he and his wife were two of the school’s first four teachers. Robert has taught math, Euclidean Geometry, logic, history, English, theology, philosophy, and apologetics. He has also served CDA in the past as both Curriculum Director and Director of Finance.

 

Coram Deo Academy and the classical education renewal has been a rich source of personal and spiritual growth for Robert, uniting his love of books and learning with his desire to help parents and teachers educate young people for the glory of God.

 

Robert holds a Master of Philosophy and Religion from Harrison Middleton University in addition to a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Accountancy from the University of Oklahoma. He is currently pursuing doctoral studies in the Oxford Inklings and the intersection of literature and theology.

 

Robert and his wife Elisabeth have four children. Their son, Thomas, is a graduate of CDA. They attend St. Maximus the Confessor Orthodox Church in Denton.

Stephanie Garland has been a parent at CDA since 2003, a teacher since 2007, and an administrator since 2013.  After her eldest daughter had a particularly difficult year in public school, God directed her and her husband to Coram Deo Academy through, of all things, a nationally syndicated radio program.  They enrolled their children at CDA and have never looked back!

 

Before teaching at CDA, Stephanie was a stay-at-home mom for thirteen years, which followed five years of teaching English and French in public high school.  She attended the University of North Texas, where she received her bachelor's and master's degrees in Secondary Education.

 

Mr. Stults graduated from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature and Language. He was very involved in the College Ministry at Indiana Ave Baptist Church in Lubbock as well as Campus Crusade for Christ. After graduation, Mr. Stults was accepted to George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University to pursue an advanced degree to continue serving in College Ministry. During this time Mr. Stults joined the Strickland Scholars program at Baylor University and began working toward a Master of Education Degree in Curriculum and Instruction which he completed in May 2001. In the following years Mr. Stults taught Junior and Senior English, served as an assistant Golf Coach, and joined the Coram Deo Academy team in 2008.

Mr. Stults has been involved in Education for 20 years, 13 of which have been with Coram Deo Academy. Mr. Stults has taught various levels and courses to include 5^th Grade, 6^th Grade English, Algebra I, Geometry, AP US History, and American Literature. also coached various levels of basketball at the school for 8 years. Mr. Stults currently teaches Medieval and Renaissance Literature and AP European History. Additionally, he currently serves as a technology liaison, House Leader (ARC), and College Guidance Counselor.

Mr. Stults is married to Amanda, and they will celebrate their 13^th anniversary this year. They have two children, Piper (10) and Drake (6), both of whom will attend Coram Deo Academy. The Stults family attends Denton Bible Church where Mr. Stults is involved in Discipleship and AWANA.

Nathan Hudler is a graduate of Sam Houston State University with a degree in Mathematics and Education. He was involved as a small group leader with the campus ministry Chi Alpha. After two years teaching Geometry in the public school system, Nathan decided to attend Dallas Theological Seminary, and graduated with a Master of Theology with a focus in Christian Education in 2013.  

While finishing his degree, Nathan joined the Coram Deo faculty in the fall of 2012. The following school year, Mr. Hudler became a full-time faculty member, and has taught a variety of classes over the years including Physics, AP Chem, Physical Science, Life Science, Theology, and Theology 2. In addition, Nathan also serves as the Dean of Students, the senior class advisor, and faculty advisor for the House of Newton.  

Josh Nokes joined Coram Deo in 2018 by way of Savannah, GA, where he served as the Assistant Athletic Director for Savannah Christian Preparatory School.  Additionally, he coached football and wrestling while teaching Advanced Placement United States History, and oversaw the consolidation and integration of the middle school athletic program within the SCPS Athletic Department.  During his time there, the school had the highest ranking athletic department in Savannah.

 

Josh is a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a degree in Secondary Education and a Masters in Business Administration.  After college, Josh spent several years in discipleship ministry with K-Life Ministries in Fort Worth before beginning his teaching career in Carrollton.  At Legacy Christian Academy in Frisco, he developed an Advanced Placement American History program that saw a pass rate increase from 5% to 82% while also working as an assistant football coach with the team who made two state championship appearances and as head coach to the softball team who appeared in the semifinals.  At The Covenant School of Dallas, he was the Athletic and Facilities Coordinator and was charged with preparing the football program to move from 6-man to 11-man football.  In 2013, he had the privilege of being a part of the staff that won the TAPPS state championship in 6-man football.  In addition, he served as the head baseball coach at Covenant, taking the team to the playoffs in his final year at the school.  

 

variety of Logic and Rhetoric level History and Theology courses.

 

Jon earned an M.A. in Religion from Reformed Theological Seminary, and a Certificate in Anglican Studies from Wycliffe College, University of Toronto. He also holds a B.A. in History and Education from the University of Texas at Dallas.

 

After discerning whether to enter pastoral or academic ministry,

 

Jon has found Coram Deo to be a perfect combination of his callings towards both academic and pastoral ministry. In addition to serving as a place to train the minds and hearts of the next generation of Christian leaders, CDA also provides a place to build relationships that will last a lifetime and beyond.

 

Jon and his wife Vivien have three children, Zoë, Rowan, and Billie. They worship together at Church of the Incarnation in Dallas (Anglican/Episcopal). He was ordained a Priest in August 2019, and continues to serve part-time on the clergy team at Incarnation.

You can find his sermons and written works on his website: http://jonjordan.com.

 

Tommy has been married to his wife, Meg, for 8 wonderful years.  He has two wonderful daughters and a baby boy coming in September. Tommy and his family attend Watermark Community Church where he and his wife enjoy serving in marriage ministry together. Tommy enjoys spending time with his family and friends, cooking, reading, sports, and running.

Jennifer Southerland serves as the Logic School Principal at the Dallas campus.  She taught for 9 years and served as the Director of Grammar and Logic Curriculum before joining the Dallas campus. She considers her service at Coram Deo Academy her ministry as she combines her passion for serving CDA families with her love of classical education. She is currently working on her master’s degree with a concentration in classical education leadership.

Michele Howard joined Coram Deo Academy as a parent in 2005 at the Collin County Campus when her oldest son started Kindergarten. Because of their love for the biblical worldview in the CDA model, the Howard family helped start the Dallas campus in 2006. Michele then joined the Dallas staff in 2009 as the 3^rd grade teacher when her youngest son started Kindergarten.  In her 10^th year she became the Admissions Coordinator in Dallas while continuing to teach.  Michele is now the Grammar School Principal.  With her background as a former parent, lead teacher, and admissions coordinator, her passion for classical education allows her to collaborate with teachers and parents under CDA’s model.  Michele considers it a joy to shepherd young hearts for Christ and to help foster a love of learning at an early age in truth, beauty, and goodness.

 

Michele has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Business Education from Baylor University. She is also a lifetime certified teacher in the state of Texas.  Before staying home with her children, Michele was a corporate trainer and manager for PricewaterhouseCoopers. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree at Gordon College in Leadership for Classical Christian Schools.

 

Michele has been married to her husband, Rick, since 1996 and have three sons who all attended CDA in Dallas.  They have been actively involved at Watermark Community Church since 1999 and have a passion for mission work and young married couples. 

Drew Lott joined CDA in 2019 as a stipend coach and is now the Dallas Campus Director of Athletics. 
 
Drew was born in Portland, OR and raised in Tacoma, WA and Lynden, WA where he graduated from Lynden High School.  Drew attended Trinity Western University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts and he received an MBA from the University of Phoenix. Drew also earned a Texas Educators Certificate from Region 10. 

 

Drew has coached successful club baseball since 2000. He has coached high school baseball at Lynden High School, Nooksack High School, and The Covenant School Dallas. He has coached at the collegiate level with Athletes in Action and Mid America Nazarene University. 

 

Drew sees coaching as a platform for discipleship in the gospel by incorporating prayer and devotional times with each team he coaches. He enjoys teaching athletes how to commit to a team and become a great teammate, how to embrace the hard work required for skill development, and ways to master the mental side of sports.  

Garrett joined CDA after moving to Dallas in 2019. Originally from Savannah, Georgia, Garrett moved to the area after marrying his wife, Ria. Garrett and Ria both work at the Dallas campus, where he is the guidance counselor, grammar school teacher, and assistant baseball coach. 

 

Garrett Received an undergraduate degree in Education from Georgia Southern University in 2015 and is currently working towards a master's in School Guidance Counseling. He found his passion for teaching and counseling while working at summer camps throughout college and fell in love with the classical school model while working at The Habersham School in Savannah. 

 

Garrett and Ria currently attend Northway Church. They can usually be found in the summer at the lake with their dog Daisy, at baseball game, or catching some trout on the white river! 

Paula (Polly) Dwyer is a Texan, born and raised. She attended the University of Oklahoma on a French Horn scholarship but fell in love with the art of teaching and changed her major. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s degree in School Administration. She began her teaching career in Noble and Moore Oklahoma. She taught college undergraduates “Models of Instruction” for the University of Oklahoma and supervised student teachers for several years before moving home to Texas to teach science at Highland Park. She obtained a second master’s in Life/Earth Science at the University of Texas, Dallas.

In 2003, she began teaching math, science, and history at Coram Deo Academy. The Dwyers chose to bring their three young children to CDA as it offered outstanding education with excellent teachers while including parents in the educational process. They believe in the parents’ responsibility to raise their children. In doing so, their children are equipped to manage the world’s challenges by filtering the information through the biblical worldview.

In 2005, Paula was promoted to be Logic School Principal. She was named the Flower Mound Campus Administrator and Logic/Rhetoric Principal in 2007. In 2016, Paula was named as the Distinguished Administrator of the Year for the Texas Private School Music Educators Association. She currently serves as the Rhetoric School Principal and Campus Administrator for the Flower Mound campus.

Paula is married to Paul and has three children, all who have graduated from CDA. Paula and her family attend Denton Bible church. She is a member of the choir. She loves athletics, the arts, history, and science. If you see her in car line, wave! She loves to greet the families of CDA.

Yvette Cavender began her partnership with CDA as a parent in 2004, when her children were in grammar school.  Soon after, she began teaching second grade, and is now the Grammar School Principal at the Flower Mound campus.  She has seen the benefits of classical education play out in the lives of her own children and considers it a privilege to collaborate with others in teaching and training students under CDA’s model. 

 

Mrs. Cavender holds Bachelor’s degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Political Science and Economics.  She is a certified teacher in the state of Texas.

 

Kristan Williams has been with Coram Deo Academy on the Flower Mound Campus since August 2011. She began teaching 5^th grade and moved into teaching mathematics to 5^th, 6^th and 7^th graders before taking on her current position. Kristan graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and is a lifetime certified teacher. Before coming to CDA, Kristan helped start a University Model School in the Woodlands, TX.

As the Logic School Principal, she hopes to rally around the Logic School children and become a mentor to them and their families.

Matt discovered Coram Deo through students at his church, and was immediately impressed. For two years, he developed conversations with some of the staff, and he and his wife made plans to send their own children there once they were old enough. Since 2017, he has served as the Dean of Students at Flower Mound.

Matt received a Bachelor’s Degree in Literary Studies from the University of Texas at Dallas. He then went on to Dallas Theological Seminary where he received a Master’s in Writing and another Master’s in Biblical Studies.

He has been at Irving Bible Church since the late 90s, where he and Camille met. They led the College Ministry for years and have also served small groups in high school and currently work with young adults in the 20’s and 30’s community. Matt’s writing has appeared, among other places, on Relevant.com, in Youthworker Journal, and in the Christian Research Journal.

Matt and Camille married in 2008. They have three children, Levi, Annabelle, and Audrey.

Tegan Thacker (pronounced like Megan) loves CDA because of the uniqueness of the University Model that allows parents to be the primary educator, integrated with a Classical education and the Christian worldview.

 

Mrs. Thacker was born and raised in San Diego, California. She has been married for 17 years to her husband Matthew. They have two boys, Levi (9) and Jude (7). Mr. and Mrs. Thacker share a common interest in music since they both studied it in college. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Hope International University and a Master of Science degree in College Student Affairs and School Counseling from California State University.

 

Over the last 16 years, Mrs. Thacker has been working with college and high school students in various school settings for many years. She has worked with college students at Vanguard University of Southern California, California State University in Bakersfield, Concordia University in Irvine, and Hope International University. She has also worked as a High School Counselor in various school districts in the Orange County, CA area.

 

When meeting with students and families, her goal is to get to know the student and work to reduce the common stressors within career exploration and college admissions by providing solid and accurate information and by walking families through the process, in small groups and in individual sessions.

 

Some areas of personal interests are health and nutrition, college admission, and she loves cooking and trying new foods. Mrs. Thacker is an extrovert and enjoys meeting new people, building relationships, and learning the perspective of others.

 

She and Matt serve in their church through music and assist with teaching Sunday school.

During his time there, Jeff was able to lead the team to its first playoff appearance in school history, its first district championship, and its first back-back playoff appearance.  Coach Cornell has been an integral part of seeing many athletes play at the NCAA level, including two who just finished playing D1 at the University of Houston and the University of Louisiana respectively.  Coach Cornell has been named Coach of the Year at the district level in 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, and 2021 and was awarded the Super-Centex Coach of the Year by the Waco Tribune Herald in 2015.

Coach Cornell and his family are currently transitioning to Flower Mound from Waco TX, where he and his family have attended Antioch Community Church for the last 14 years.